Edward III

By Melissa Snell, About.com Guide

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Portrait of Edward from Cassell's History of England, 1902

Public Domain

This profile of Edward III is part of
Who's Who in Medieval History
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Edward III was also known as:

Edward of Windsor

Edward III was noted for:

Laying claim to the French throne, thus setting off the Hundred Years' War. Edward was fond of Chivalry and created Britain's highest knightly order, the Order of the Garter.

Occupations & Roles in Society:

King

Military Leader

Places of Residence and Influence:

England

France

Important Dates:

Born:

Crowned:

Died:

About Edward III:

The son of Edward II and grandson of Edward I, King Edward III, also known as Edward of Windsor, had a fairly successful reign that lasted fifty years. Taking the throne at the age of 15 upon his father's forced abdication, he shook off his dependence on his mother and her lover, Roger Mortimer, by having Mortimer executed in 1330.

Edward focused largely on military matters in Scotland and in France, where his pursuit of the crown through his mother's line contributed to the start of the Hundred Years' War. He had a very good relationship with the nobility, who profited from his military exploits, and was generally well-liked by the populace, as well. Edward's court was a prime example of the chivalric values of high medieval society, and he created Britain's highest knightly order, the Order of the Garter.

The king had five sons, but his eldest, Edward the Black Prince, predeceased him, so the crown passed to Prince Edward's son Richard. The families of the remaining sons would eventually go to war over the succession in what came to be known as the Wars of the Roses.